by D. R. Bailey
✽✽✽
They reached the office without incident and managed to park the car outside in the road.
“That was lucky,” said Bernadette as she locked it. There was a paucity of empty spaces in their road and they often had to park further away.
“Very,” Imogen agreed.
They walked up the steps, Bernadette swiped her security card and they entered into what she always felt was a haven of sorts. The green walls had been her choice when first moving into the offices, and she liked the slightly old world feel they gave to the environment, as well as being soothing. It was also in keeping with the period in which the offices had been originally built, although they would, at one time, have been houses of well to do gentry.
Juanita was sitting at her desk as usual, and as Bernadette dropped the keys on the counter, Juanita wordlessly placed a woman’s magazine beside them opened at a double spread about D’Arcy Brown. Imogen, who was just behind Bernadette, snatched it up at once. There was a still photo from her new movie Blades of Thunder, where she was seen was kissing her co-star. The headline seemed to be asking if there was more this than her on screen romance.
“You can take it,” said Juanita airily, without looking, “I finished reading it.”
“Thanks,” said Imogen who had suddenly become very tight lipped and walked swiftly upstairs with it clutched in her hand.
Bernadette rolled her eyes, this seemed to be Imogen’s lot, to read stories about her girlfriend and she was not taking them very well.
“Must you?” she asked Juanita.
“Ay, I just thought she would be interest, that’s all, it’s nothing, just the gossips, it’s means nothing. Constantina tells me, I know, I know. D’Arcy loves Imogen so much, it’s true.”
Bernadette said nothing but stood looking at her dumbfounded.
Juanita turned and for once seemed quite earnest. “I swear, Bernadette, on my life. D’Arcy will die for her, I swear it.”
“OK, that’s good to know,” said Bernadette mollified, “But try not to keep showing her the gossip, you can see how it upsets her.”
“Ay, OK, OK… I will not show…” said Juanita, now evidently feeling she had exceeded the maximum effort she could expend on the issue.
“There is a detective coming soon, Olivia, to see us, just send her to the meeting room, OK?”
“Ay, this one, she likes Imogen too, ay.”
Bernadette shook her head at this and said instead, “Don’t forget to move my car.”
“I don’t forget, I never forget…” Juanita was already reading another magazine.
Bernadette went upstairs and seeing Imogen’s door was shut, opened it quietly and slipped inside. Imogen was talking on the phone which was on loudspeaker. Bernadette was about to make a quick exit when Imogen pointed for her to sit on the sofa and listen. She did so, albeit with reluctant fascination.
“It’s nothing, darling, please, believe me, I swear, it’s just a stupid article,” D’Arcy was saying to Imogen.
“OK, but the article said you were spending a lot of time together,” Imogen shot back.
“Going over the script! We had to read it over together, honey. There wasn’t anything more than that. I told you about the times I went out to lunch or dinner with him when I was there, don’t you remember? Please, darling, it’s not what you think.” There was a certain pleading note in D’Arcy’s voice.
“Fine,” said Imogen, looking a little happier.
“So, do you believe me?”
“Yes, yes I do.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, of course, I promise I believe you, sweetheart, I do,” said Imogen her voice softening.
“I suppose you’re going to spank me later though.” The tone of this remark did not suggest the thought was unwelcome.
“I… I haven’t decided.”
“But… I’ve been bad, and don’t you think you should?” The pleading note was back.
“I will tell you when I get home, I’ll have to see how I feel.”
“Do you… still love me?” This was the sotto little girl voice Bernadette recognised.
“Yes, of course, I do, I love you more than I can tell you, darling.” Imogen’s voice had gone quite gooey to Bernadette’s interest.
“Promise?”
“Yes, I promise, I love you, D’Arcy, I really do.”
“I love you too, and I’d never do anything, anything ever to hurt you, my darling. I love you so much, Imogen, I do!” D’Arcy sounded so impassioned. Imogen smiled with pleasure as if the cat had got the cream.
She started to retract from what must have been her earlier position, “I know, and I’m sorry for being such a bitch sometimes.”
“No, don’t be, I deserve it sometimes,” said D’Arcy earnestly, “I’m a little brat, I know I am.”
“Yes, you can be that,” Imogen laughed.
“I’ll… leave the paddle out… just in case…. you might want it,” said D’Arcy who was obviously still angling for chastisement.
“OK, and listen I’ve got to go, I’ll see you very soon, OK.”
“I miss you,” said D’Arcy making kissing noises.
“I miss you too.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Imogen disconnected the phone and looked at her friend. Bernadette was acutely aware she had been a privileged party to something very private. Not that she hadn’t seen Imogen and D’Arcy in a much more intimate liaison, she had as an unintentional voyeur at D’Arcy’s house. But this was different. This was the secret language of two people who were very much in love.
“You know,” said Bernadette frankly, “You really do need to curb your jealousy.”
“I know.” Imogen was contrite.
“What did you say to her at first?”
“I said, ‘What the fuck is this article in Women’s Way, D’Arcy?’”
“Now you see, that is exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Yes, I realise I was over the top.”
“And I’m going to suggest it’s because you feel insecure.”
“Yes.” Imogen fell silent for a few moments, and then said, “We are getting that ring tomorrow, and I’m going to propose this weekend. You and Eve must come to dinner on Saturday night, stay over, and I’m going to do the deed.”
“OK. How exciting!”
“Yes, maybe her publicist can announce it to the press or something. Let the world know she’s mine,” said Imogen firmly.
“Very good plan, I’m sure it will help both of you. Have you thought maybe D’Arcy wants you to propose? Perhaps this seemingly wayward behaviour is part of it?”
“I never thought of that, but maybe.”
“Anyway, do you feel better now?”
“Yes, I do.”
“OK, well, Olivia should be here soon. If I leave you alone, you’re not going to do anything silly?” Bernadette said grinning.
“No, I won’t. I’ll see D’Arcy when I get home.”
“Are you going to fulfil her wishes?”
“No, I’m going to beg for her forgiveness, instead.”
“Wow, well, that’s a turnaround, and very good, very good indeed.”
“I’m trying, see, really I am.”
“I can see, darling and I’m very proud of you.” Bernadette got up and gave Imogen a fleeting kiss. “Now behave yourself.”
“Yes, mother,” Imogen laughed.
✽✽✽
DS Olivia Thompson sat in the meeting room on one of the sofas opposite Bernadette and Imogen. She silently methodically stirred her tea almost as if it was an act of meditation.
Bernadette and Imogen both knew there was no interrupting or rushing Olivia over her tea. She seemed to relish coming to their office for a cuppa. It was apparently one of the highlights for her. Once she had finished stirring in an almost maddening fashion, she lifted her cup and took a sip. She closed h
er eyes in satisfaction at the hot liquid.
“This really is the best tea in Dublin,” she said at length.
“Is it?” said Bernadette taking a sip of her coffee.
“Oh yes, absolutely the best. I can assure you of that.”
“I’m glad, and of course you’re welcome anytime.”
“So,” said Olivia taking a few more sips, “This car which was following you…”
“Yes?” said Imogen eagerly.
“And it was, yes, most definitely following you.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, most definitely.”
In her typical exasperating fashion, Olivia sipped her tea once more and took a bourbon cream from the plate on the table and consumed it with relish.
Bernadette glanced at Imogen who was exhibiting signs of impatience but trying to curb it.
“Yes, following you they were,” said Olivia licking the tips of her fingers.
“Who, who was following us?” said Imogen slightly annoyed now.
“I was coming to that.” Olivia smiled. “Erm, it was a couple of detectives from the Met.”
“What?” said Bernadette astounded.
“Yep, operating right out of their area they were, and so we told them.”
“You told them?” Imogen put in.
“Yes, once the patrol found out who they were, these chaps flashed their warrants, they were escorted to the station and I had a chat with them, so did our super. He wasn’t happy as it goes to find British cops on his turf, not at all.”
“Why the fuck were they following us?” Bernadette exclaimed.
“Now that’s a good question, as it goes, they didn’t know you were lawyers. Thought you were associates of young Callum Jenkins in there,” said Olivia taking another biscuit.
“What the fuck?” said Imogen.
“The super said much the same.” Olivia’s eyes twinkled.
“So, he ought to,” said Bernadette pardonably annoyed.
“I can see you’re upset about all this,” Olivia continued, sipping her tea once more.
“That’s one way of fucking well putting it.” Bernadette made a face.
“I can assure you the super is, if you’ll pardon the pun, super upset. This has gone much higher. The DCS, the AC and the Commissioner himself have been involved. People have been shouted at on both sides. It has been, to put it mildly, a shit show in the making.”
Olivia put down her empty cup and regarded it regretfully.
“Would you like another cup?” Imogen asked helpfully, realising there was more to be said.
“That would be most welcome, indeed.” Olivia smiled.
Fresh cups were procured and once the stirring ritual had been completed, Olivia continued with her tale.
“So, what are they doing in the country?” Bernadette ventured.
“Apparently they were sent here, to make investigations, albeit unauthorised nor sanctioned from our end, into the affairs of Mr Jenkins,” Olivia replied.
“For the extradition proceedings?”
“Precisely but apparently beyond that even for their own ongoing investigation.” Olivia shrugged and sipped her tea.
“But that’s preposterous!” Bernadette said, infuriated by these revelations.
“Again, that is pretty much the view of the Garda top brass who don’t take kindly to UK police spying on our citizens, innocent until proven guilty and all that.”
“So, what’s the upshot?” Imogen wanted to know.
“Ah, the upshot, indeed. They have been asked to go home or otherwise cease and desist from all further investigations. If there is any investigating to be done, we will do it, that is, if we want to do it.” Olivia took yet another biscuit and consumed it with great relish.
“And do you want to do it?” Bernadette asked her.
“Let me ask you something. Why don’t you tell me about this case of yours? I’m not really au fait with the whole extradition thing, so enlighten me.”
“On or off the record?” said Imogen at once.
“Off the record if you wish, naturally.”
“OK,” said Bernadette, she could see no harm in bringing Olivia into the fold. In fact, it might serve them well if they needed help with the case. Olivia had, so far, proved herself extremely useful on previous occasions. “This is what we know…”
Olivia listened patiently sipping her tea, while Bernadette gave her the lowdown on the case.
“I see,” Olivia said when Bernadette was finished, “It seems a fairly flimsy case on first hearing, of course, you haven’t received all the evidence as yet.”
“What do you think, then, as a detective?” Imogen asked her.
“What do I think. Hmm, well… the illegals could have been put on in Spain, but they also could have been put on in Dublin.”
“What about the customs seal?” Bernadette wondered.
“Customs seal?” Olivia laughed, “You think that can’t be faked? Or these gangs can’t get hold of copies of the seal makers? They have access to huge resources, millions of Euros are made from this trafficking, replacing a seal would not be hard.”
“Really? That’s very interesting, though hard to prove.”
“Do you know anything about trafficking here? Are there any ongoing investigations?” Imogen added.
“I don’t, but I can find out, I’m sort of involved at least on the periphery,” Olivia replied eyeing the biscuits in a way which indicated she was considering eating another. Apparently, she had quite a sweet tooth, something Bernadette filed away for future reference should more persuasion ever be needed.
“Couldn’t you get involved more?” Bernadette asked her hopefully.
“Let me see,” said Olivia, “I see what you’re doing, you’re wanting me and maybe the Garda to bolster your case, if I’m correct?”
“Well…” Bernadette shrugged.
Olivia chuckled at her expression. “I’m not against it, after all, you think this chap isn’t guilty, but I’m going to need a reason to get involved, if you catch my drift.”
“And how can we do that?”
“It’s something you need to figure out.” Olivia smiled. “I can’t do everything for you, let’s just say if you found some interesting information linking the smuggling to here, then it could very well suddenly become a Garda matter. Also, since you brought it to my attention, I’m in pole position as it were. Added to which, thanks to you and the matter of Emily O’Neil’s case, the super thinks the sun shines out of my arsehole at the moment.”
“I see, that is fortunate.”
“Oh, it is, believe me. A lesbian bitch detective like me? I wasn’t having an easy time of it but then Burnsy fucked it right up, he got well slammed by the inquiry and has been reassigned. He was the super’s blue-eyed boy, now turned pariah. So, guess who took the number one spot? Ms Lesbian herself.” Olivia’s eyes twinkled and she laughed.
She had been referring to her colleague Finian Burns who had originally brought the case against Emily O’Neil allegedly for killing her father. Bernadette had proved otherwise in spectacular fashion in the courtroom, and Olivia had arrested the real culprit who was now serving time.
“I’m glad things turned out well for you.”
“Oh, they did, very much so thanks to you, well, both of you, I’m sitting pretty. I might even be able to make Inspector soon,” Olivia said in confidential tones.
“OK, so if we can find a way to generate your interest, then you might be on board, is that what you are saying?”
“Oh, yes, we’re not keen on human trafficking in this country and if I can catch a few smugglers or even the big fish then I’m certainly going to go up in the popularity stakes.”
“Is that what it’s all about, popularity?” Imogen asked, a trifle acidic.
Olivia regarded her but did not appear at all put out by the question. “No, no, of course not. I care about my job and I care abo
ut people being trafficked. But at the same time, I’m doing this for pay and if I’m going to be paid then I might as well get the best out of it if I can. I’ve risen through the ranks the hard way, rode the jibes, the bullying, the teasing. I’ve knocked some sense into one or two Gardai around the back of the station, who overstepped the line. Nothing was said but I got left alone afterwards.”
“I’m sorry,” said Imogen contrite, “I didn’t mean…”
“Of course, you didn’t, and I’ll forgive you anything,” Olivia said pointedly.
“How’s Carole?” Bernadette asked aware they were straying into territory which Imogen would not be comfortable with.
“She’s definitely a nice girl, and we are still going out. Is it love? I don’t know. Is it going the distance? I don’t know. Coming to think of it, we should go all out, you two, me and Carole, make a foursome.”
“What about our partners?” Imogen asked.
“They can come too, we’ll make a sixsome,” Olivia laughed.
“Sounds like an idea,” said Bernadette being non-committal.
“It’s OK, you don’t have to.” Olivia shrugged. “It was just an idea.”
“I didn’t say that,” Bernadette demurred seeing her slightly disappointed face, “We could maybe have dinner, you two could come over, perhaps?”
“Sure, we’d like that too,” said Olivia smiling at the suggestion.
“Right, so where do we stand? Are these British cops going to follow us around anymore?”
“No, definitely not and if you do see anybody doing so, ring me right away no matter when,” said Olivia seriously.
“OK, thank you, it’s very reassuring.”
“My pleasure,” Olivia replied, draining her cup. She looked at her watch and sighed. “I’m going to have to love you and leave you, duty calls and all that. Got other cases to crack, not just rogue police officers doing things they’re not supposed to.”
“You don’t want another cup?” Bernadette cocked an eyebrow.
“Much as it pains me to say no, I won’t, not today, but save it for another day.” Olivia got up from her chair. “I’ll see myself out, stand easy.”
With a smile and flick of her hair which seemed a little longer these days, she was gone.
“Well!” said Imogen once they had heard her going down the stairs.